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| A GATR launched from an AH-64 Apache Helicopter. Image by Elbit Systems |
Some very big News from the 15th Strike Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) during their 47th Founding Anniversary as reported by the Inquirer News Publication.
You can also watch the Video of the Anniversary itself below which I highly recommend, the discussion of the Weapons starts at around the 1:22:36 mark:
Among the Highlights discussed during Anniversary are the following:
* They have acquired an additional 28 units of the GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II Guided Bombs
* 112 Advanced Precision Kill Weapons Systems (APKWS) have been acquired for the unit, these are Laser Guided Rockets.
* They have completed the Training, Live Fire Tests and formulation of Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) for the use of the APKWS.
* A Simulator System for Training for the A-29 Super Tucano called the Basic Aircraft Training Device (BATD) has also been acquired.
* They have also completed Pre-Delivery Inspections for another set of Guided Rockets, this time from the Israeli Company Elbit Systems called the Guided Advance Tactical Rocket (GATR).
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The APKWS is made by the Company BAE Systems which is headquartered in the United Kingdom (UK), and there was a Report back in September 2019 that these will be coming from the US.
If so, then these are the latest version, the Advanced Precision Kill Weapons Systems (APKWS) II and could be a Grant or Donation, I hope they will provide more details about these later.
Based on what was mentioned during the Anniversary, it seems that the 15th Strike Wing is ready to start using these operationally, if they have not done so already.
The PAF released a Notice for Negotiated Procurement for the GATRs back in November 2018, but no details were reported then on how many they were acquiring.
It has multiple Guidance Systems using Laser, Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) which allows it to be used Day or Night, and in any Weather Conditions.
The Inquirer Article says that these were the ones donated by the US, but there is a discrepancy in the quantity as the ones donated were only supposed to be 24, but the ones reported during the Anniversary was 28 units.
* PH Air Force Unit shows off improved firepower, accuracy at Anniversary Rite {Archived Link}
* Philippine Air Force plans to integrate GBU-49 Guided Bombs and equip Pilots with Night Vision Devices on its FA-50PH Aircraft {Archived Link}
* Raytheon (Texas Instruments) Paveway II (GBU-10/B, GBU-12/B, GBU-16/B, GBU-17/B, GBU-48/B, GBU-49/B, GBU-50/B, GBU-51/B) {Archived Link}
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